Bieber publicist: Stolen laptop tweet not a hoax

By MANUEL VALDES | October 12, 2012 | 4:34 PM EDT

This Sept. 30, 2012 photo released by the Las Vegas News Bureau shows singer Justin Bieber performing in concert at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. Bieber tweeted to his nearly 29 million followers he was victimized during the show Tuesday, Oct. 9, after his laptop was stolen at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Wash. But questions were raised Friday about the authenticity of Bieber’s claim. Bieber’s publicist Melissa Victor says it’s not a hoax and the laptop was indeed stolen. (AP Photo/Las Vegas News Bureau, Steve Spatafore)

Bieber tweeted to his nearly 29 million followers he and his tour manager were victimized during the show Tuesday night at the Tacoma Dome. But questions were raised Friday about the authenticity of Bieber's claim.

Another Twitter user alluded to having the laptop and footage of the pop star. The account, though, linked to Bieber's new music video, which starts with text saying personal footage was stolen and uploaded "illegally."

That prompted suspicions the supposed theft was a hoax meant to hype the new music video, which was released Friday.

But Bieber's publicist Melissa Victor says the theft report is true.

"Be very clear, the laptop was indeed stolen in Tacoma. That was NOT a hoax," Victor wrote in an email to the Associated Press.

She did not immediately reply to questions about the release of the music video or whether the Twitter account claiming to have footage of the pop start was connected to publicity. The Twitter user, (at)gexwy, did not respond to a message from The Associated Press.

Tacoma police spokesman Mark Fulghum said a report was filed online Wednesday, but he doesn't foresee police officers spending much time investigating.

"A lot of people got played," Fulghum said. "It became a big media frenzy, so I guess that was the idea."

But Fulghum did acknowledge the pop star's laptop could have been stolen.

The Tacoma News Tribune reported Friday that Tacoma officials reviewed surveillance video of the room where Bieber's property was allegedly taken, but could not make a determination there was a theft.